‘Mission: World Cup’ starts with training camp, match against Portugal on 8th June

With the training camp starting today in Coverciano, the Women’s National Team’s mission to qualify for the World Cup has begun today. On Friday 8th June at 20:45 CEST at the Stadio Artemio Franchi (click here for ticket info), the side will play Portugal in the first of two matches with the chance to seal qualification for France 2019.

A win against Portugal would see Italy make the World Cup finals for the first time in 20 years, without having to wait until the final match away against Belgium on 4th September. It’s an ambitious goal which is just a step away for the side that was able to win the first six matches in the group and in Florence they hope to see a good crowd with Milena Bertolini describing the support as the “twelfth woman on the pitch.”

Today, the 23 Azzurre players called up for the most important match of the season will have double training while the city will prepare to host the match with a number of events under the banner of Firenze Città Azzurra. On Thursday 7th June, the Football Museum in Coverciano will host an informative meeting with local clubs and football schools on youth development. Two hours before kick-off in Italy vs. Portugal at the Stadio Franchi, there will be a celebration of the 50th anniversary since the first women’s league season in Italy and the Women’s National Team’s opening match. At the break, the winners of a contest run by the Youth and Scholastic Sector will be recognised after it involved a wide variety of school pupils. The final event will be on Saturday 9th June when Italy player Alia Guagni will be the Leggiadra Madonna at the first-semi final of Calcio Storico in Florence.